The Chiltern Railways service from Oxford to London Marylebone is a new alternative route to travel from Oxford directly into Central London since 2015 with substantial upgrades to the Oxford–Bicester Line allowing trains to run on the short branch line and curve directly towards High Wycombe and London Marylebone without terminating at Bicester Village. Since I’ve already tried out the night service, now it’s time to see the line in daylight.
Heading into Oxford Railway Station.
The rather empty station on Easter Sunday.
Looks like I’m in luck with the next service departing in just 9 minutes time.
Purchasing my ticket to London Terminals to allow more flexibility in returning later.
Chiltern Railways typically depart from the bay platforms of Platforms 1 and 2 from Oxford Railway Station. My train today is made up of 2 sets of 2-car Class 172/1 Turbostars, forming a 4-car service.
Heading to Platform 1 for my train.
The platform departure information screen of Platform 1.
Heading to the front set for a shorter walk at London Marylebone later.
The coupling between the two Class 172/1 Turbostar sets.
The interior of Chiltern Railways’ Class 172/1 Turbostar. The coach seems to offer lesser airline-style seats and more bay-style seats.
The bay of 4 seats which I picked for myself since the train wasn’t crowded.
Cup holders are available at every bay of 4 seats.
The view of the coach from my seat.
My Off-Peak Day Return tickets to London Terminals which I’m using for London Marylebone first.
My outward ticket from Oxford to London Marylebone.
Departing from Oxford together with a delayed CrossCountry service to Birmingham New Street.
The station sign of Oxford on the platform.
Heading out of Oxford Railway Station.
Passing by some Class 165 Network Turbos stabling at the up carriage sidings north of Oxford Station.
The end of the new up carriage sidings north of Oxford Station..
Making a brief stop at Oxford Parkway.
Heading on towards Bicester.
Passing by the junction to the Bicester Military Railway.
Making a brief stop at Bicester Village.
Shoppers boarding the train at Bicester Village.
Turning right off the future East West Rail to Bletchley onto the Bicester Chord to join the Chiltern Main Line to High Wycombe.
Heading onto the Bicester Chord
Approaching the junction to join onto the Chiltern Main Line.
Crossing over to the down line towards High Wycombe and London Marylebone.
Heading on to Haddenham & Thame Parkway.
Making a brief stop at Haddenham & Thame Parkway.
Making a brief stop at Princes Risborough.
Princes Risborough is an interchange station for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, a heritage railway with steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, DMUs and EMUs. Unfortunately I didn’t know about this railway till my train made a stop here, but there might not have been any trains running during my visit anyway.
The reinstate Platform 4 at Princes Risborough for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
Making a brief stop at High Wycombe where more passengers boarded.
Making a brief stop at Beaconsfield.
Making a brief stop at Gerrards Cross.
Crossing over the West Coast Main Line at Wembley.
Passing through Wembley Stadium.
Wembley Stadium as seen from my train.
Merging with the London–Aylesbury Line to head down to London Marylebone, part of the original (now defunct) Great Central Main Line.
Time for a toilet break before arriving into London.
The big wheelchair-accessible toilet on board.
I prefer this switch-type of electronic door lock controls over the button-lock type. Also, the sink has an integrated water outlet, soap dispenser and hand dryer.
A full-height mirror is also available in the toilet.
Passing by Kilburn station on the Jubilee Line. Chiltern Railways run parallel with the Jubilee Line and Metropolitan Line at this stretch.
Passing by one of the original Metropolitan Railway bridges.
Crossing with a Metropolitan Line train.
Overtaking a Jubilee Line train.
Entering the tunnels to London Marylebone.
Heading to Line 5 of London Marylebone.
Arriving in London Marylebone.
Arrived at London Marylebone on time. The journey from Oxford to London Marylebone took 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Heading down to the station exit.
Heading along Platform 3.
Exiting through the ticket gates at London Marylebone.
I needed to get to Charing Cross next, so I got on the Bakerloo Line from London Marylebone.
The Bakerloo Line platforms of London Marylebone with a departing train which shut its doors on me just as I got to the platform.
Thankfully, the next train was less than 4 minutes away.
The interior of the Bakerloo Line London Underground 1972 Stock, the oldest rolling stock for passenger service on the London Underground.
Overall, it was just an okay ride on Chiltern Railways as the train travelled slower and further as compared with the Great Western Railway service to London Paddington, but it still got me to London anyway with lesser waiting time at Oxford. It was also easier to connect to the Bakerloo Line at London Marylebone with the closure of the District and Circle Lines on my journey date. If given a choice though, I’ll still get on a GWR service.
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